Hoof boots for slippery grass/mud

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hillbilly

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I have always had barefoot horses but the two I have at present are transitioning from shoes. They fit size 2 and size 6 cavallo hoof boots respectively - the fit is good and they don't twist or ever come off. However they are an absolute nightmare on the short grass slippery mud combo (like clay slip!) that prevails in winter and we have had horses legs just slip out from under them. I would stud these boots but we also do a lot of tarmac work which I suspect wouldn't be good for studs. So i am looking for recommendations- have any of you out there tried hoof boots that can cope with these conditions, and that would fit the large, round footed mare that takes a cavallo 6?
 
If you can get hold of Easyboot Grips they are the best I've found for not slipping. They aren't meant to be used on the roads but I do, it just means they wear out more quickly that I like.
 
Oh thank you- I'll look them up now. The small footed mare will transition quickly but the big mare has more long standing issues and I am willing to invest in the grippiest hoof boots I can find! Even if they do wear out faster - it's not much fun when your horse slips over when you're on board!!
 
for the one with the smaller feet the answer is very easy renegades either the classic or the viper version. You can google renegade hoofboots, lots of info on their site. They are the only boots I trust on slick grass and mud. I use 4 renegades and it is no different on mine to having 4 shoes ( without studs) , in fact it is a lot safer on slippery tarmac than having shoes.

The second choice is easyboot gloves and the third easyboot epics which both have the same sole pattern. Unfortunately the big problem is large horse feet. The renegades and gloves don't go up to very large sizes. The epics go larger. If you get accurate measurements of your feet (after a trim) you could then look on the renegade site for sizing. (they are slightly on the small side) and also on www.easycareinc.com for gloves, epics and any of the other easyboot range. That way you will find out the options.

I totally agree it is not nice when they slip.
 
Thank you paddy555, I shall look them up - she's 15.5cm width 16cm length...!
I scrutinised the cavallo grip last night and the problem seems to be the flat raised bit in the middle of the sole (the bit with their logo on. It just prevents the boot from gripping in to a slippery surface, instead they slide across it. In all their designs this basic sole pattern has never changed. Over stony ground, tracks, water and deep mud you'd never know there was a problem...but on wet short grass, wet rock and such they are lethal.
 
I think you'll struggle to get another boot for the larger footed horse. I have my boy in Cavallo simples size 6 only because they are the biggest boot I could find. I don't ride in them, they are for turn out only when needed.
 
That's interesting, I've always been a bit cautious about turning out in hoof boots - though they have never come off when riding.....do they stay on well through all the hurly burly of field play???
 
hillbilly said:
That's interesting, I've always been a bit cautious about turning out in hoof boots - though they have never come off when riding.....do they stay on well through all the hurly burly of field play???
Click to expand...

Yes, they've never moved even though our thick clay.

I've only used them to protect the sole after he had an abscess, and found that after a week of 12h plus on per day, he was getting small rubs on his heels, but by then he didn't need them in the field.
 
That is interesting. I could never find a boot suitable for clay mud and memorably virtually skied down one slope. I vowed not to try that again!
 
i have used old macs on mud and not had too much trouble. The new otilio flaoting boots have 2 sole tread - endurance for sandy hard ground and sport for grassy soil type going - havent tried them yet - but keen to!
 
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